Discover
The Isles of Skye & Raasay
skye.scot
A valuable resource to help you prepare for your visit to the Isles of Skye and Raasay and also to provide useful information while you’re visiting our islands.
Fàilte – Welcome
Welcome to skye.scot. This initiative by some of Skye’s Community Councils has been developed to provide useful information to help you plan your visit to our beautiful islands.
We hope you’ll find this site useful and it will help you prepare for your trip and that you have a fantastic time. We hope too that you’ll heed our advice and help us look after our fragile environment and also help by caring about Skye and Raasay’s residents by being considerate of those who live here.
Planning your trip and getting to Skye and Raasay
The art of having a great holiday in the Highlands is in the planning. The better the planning in advance the better the time you’ll have here. There are numerous websites with everything you’ll need to know for accommodation, things to see and do, places to eat and drink, our culture and heritage, amazing wildlife and above all the magnificent world-renowned scenery.
Driving on Skye and Raasay
Although there are hundreds of miles of roads on Skye and Raasay there are no dual carriageways (divided highways) and only a few traffic roundabouts and traffic lights.
However, the roads aren’t in a great condition and are probably narrower than you’re used to. Many of them have only one lane that both directions of traffic share – these are called single track roads.
For your sake and ours, please don’t drive off the roads. Driving on the verge (grass at the side of the road) compacts the ground and destroys the ecosystem there, hastens the road’s destruction, AND makes it much more likely you’ll damage your tyres – if not your vehicle.
Our Environment
In an ever-changing world our environment and biodiversity are more important than ever. Here in Skye and Raasay we love to welcome visitors from across the globe but in return you can play your part in helping to protect and preserve the beautiful islands we call home. Our landscapes and seas are fragile and with increasing numbers of people who want to experience our special corner of Scotland please do all you can to respect our environment whilst you are with us. It’s not a big ask – but it’s for all of us.
Camping
Skye and its neighbouring Isle of Raasay are one of the great places in the world to get off the beaten track and camp in the mountains, shores, beaches, forests and woodlands.
Facilities
As the largest island in the Inner Hebrides Skye is home to around 12,000 people who live and work here. The tourism industry is a key economic driver and visitors will find a warm welcome wherever you go.
Here you can find details of EV charging points, recycling centres, public toilets….
Livestock and Wildlife
Please remember that Skye and Raasay are not just about stunning scenery, fabulous food and drink, history, culture and so much more. Our islands are working environments with farms, crofts (small holdings) and grazing of sheep and cattle almost everywhere. The land managers work hard to ensure our livestock enjoys free range across the hills and fields. Please respect their work and take care not to get too close to livestock, and to ensure that your dog is always under control.
We have some of the most iconic wildlife species in Scotland from golden and white-tailed eagles, deer, whales, dolphins and porpoises, otters, pine martens and fabulous birdlife. Please don’t disturb these precious animals and birds, keep your distance and keep them safe. But don’t forget your camera!
Public Transport
There are many ways to use public transport either getting to and from Skye or while you’re here.
Miscellaneous Topics
Here’s a few other tidbits of information that might make your visit with us all the more enjoyable, or may just be good for you to know.
Other sources of information
There are many websites that give details of places to stay and go on Skye and Raasay and we provide. At skye.scot we’re providing information about how you can get the most from your stay with us and what you can do to help those of us who live here to preserve our beautiful islands and stay safe. Below is a link to the national visitor information site.
Thank you – Mòran taing
This initiative would not be possible without the support of Police Scotland and many others. The website development is entirely voluntary and the production of supporting signage would not be possible without financial contribution.
Enjoy your stay on the Isles of skye and raasay
Consideration & Respect
We really do look forward to your visit. All we ask in return is that you treat us and our islands with respect. Please leave no trace – keep Skye and Raasay beautiful for the next visitors – and please give a thought to those who are fortunate to live here and want to continue to share their home with visitors like you.
Haste ye back
Suggestions?
skye.scot is a new initiative by several of Skye’s community councils. We’re all volunteers, so please bear with us while this site develops. If you have a suggestion for additional content, or content correction, or would like to support this initiative financially, please let us know.